§ 26. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of persons per estimated thousand of the population in Scotland who, at the same date during each of the past four years, respectively, have been in receipt of Poor Law relief?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe number of persons per thousand of the estimated population in Scotland who were in receipt of Poor relief at the 15th May of each of the years 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927 was 46.9, 42.3, 58.4 and 48.8 respectively.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman bring these figures to the notice of the Labour Minister, who still keeps telling us that unemployment is decreasing?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware these figures are almost double the figures for England, and can he offer any explanation as to why poverty in Scotland should be so much greater?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs a matter of fact, I think the figures are hardly comparable with those which were given by my right hon. Friend. These figures include a number of persons who were not included in the English returns. The English figures excluded lunatics, casuals and out-door relief cases.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not self-evident to the Secretary of State, as a result of those figures, that there is greater poverty in Scotland than there is in England?
§ Commander WILLIAMSWhat proportion of these are Scottish and what proportion are of Irish extraction?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe hon. and gallant Gentleman, being an Irishman, should be a judge.
§ 28. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the parish council of Greenock has decided that in future no relief shall be paid to destitute able-bodied unemployed persons unless such persons have resided in Greenock for at least one year prior to the date of application, and have been employed, other than upon relief work, for at least six month's; and whether, in view of the Poor Law (Scotland) Emergency Acts, he will take steps to ensure that the destitute poor have the succour afforded them by the Act of Parliament?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware of the decision referred to by the hon. Member, and I have instructed the Scottish Board of Health to take the matter up with the Parish Council of Greenock.